Body boarders help rescue family cut off by tide at Southerness

One non-swimmer was helped ashore by Silloth RNLI lifeboat

Body boarders have helped lifeboat crews rescue a group of up to 20 people cut off by the tide in Dumfries and Galloway.

The group of children and adults were waist deep in sea water when two RNLI boats arrived at the scene at Southerness Point at about 15:40.

Crewman Andrew Rowe said many of those who were stranded were helped ashore by a group of body boarders.

One man who was a non-swimmer was taken to safety by lifeboat.

It is understood the group - thought to be a family on holiday in the area - became stranded by the Solway Firth's fast-moving tide.

Stewart Bryden, senior coastal operations manager, said the situation could easily have turned out differently.

"If conditions had changed or if anything had had gone wrong, it would have been a lot worse," he said.

"The tide in the Solway is fast and they were cut off before they knew it," he added.

"Fortunately, some nearby paddleboarders and kayakers came to their aid and helped most of them to shore before our lifeboats arrived to take the remaining few.

"It was a stark reminder of how quickly you can find yourself at risk on our coasts."

Coastguard teams from Annan, Kirkcudbright, and Portling, as well as Silloth and Kippford RNLI lifeboats and Nith Rescue were involved in the rescue.

Mr Bryden said: "If you are going to spend the day at the coast, you need to plan ahead and check weather and tide times so you don't get caught out by the incoming tide.

"And, if you do - it can happen to anyone - immediately call for help and stay where you are. If a person panics and tries to swim to shore, the outcome could be devastating."